3 charged after drugs found in stolen van

Saturday

Aug 17, 2013 at 5:37 PM

Three people were arrested by sheriff's deputies and drug agents after authorities found a stolen vehicle that contained methamphetamine.

By Austin L. MillerStaff writer

SILVER SPRINGS SHORES -- Three people were arrested by sheriff's deputies and drugs agents Thursday after authorities found a stolen vehicle in the possession of the three that contained methamphetamine, ingredients used to manufacture the drug, and drug paraphernalia, according to officials.

A man walking by a white van parked in a Walmart parking lot on Bahia Avenue told a dispatcher that a woman was pointing and yelling at him. Thinking it was strange, the man reported the incident.

Arriving on scene, Deputy Timothy Andrews saw a man, later identified as Samuel Brooks of Ocala, sitting in the front passenger seat of 2006 Chevrolet van and asked for identification.

Running the tag, the deputy discovered the van was registered to a day care in Orlando and the VIN number showed the vehicle had been reported stolen by the Orlando Police Department.

The deputy said Brooks told him he came to the store with Robert Burnette of Michigan, Amanda Watson of Ocala, and an unidentified woman.

Brooks told the deputy that on Wednesday night he and the others were at another Walmart when he stole several items from the store. In the morning, he said they traveled to the Silver Springs Shores Walmart, where he returned the goods and received a gift card for them. Burnette and Watson were in the store, Brooks said.

Deputy Mark Swarbrick went into the Walmart, found Burnette and Watson and brought them outside, where he and another deputy, Donna Blair, interviewed them.

Watson denied knowing that the van had been stolen and said they had been using the vehicle for a month. She said she drove the van because Burnette had a suspended driver's license. Burnette also denied knowing the vehicle had been stolen.

Searching the vehicle, deputies said they found meth in a shot glass that was in a cup holder, as well as numerous items used to make meth.

The Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team was called and found 322.6 grams of meth in two separate containers in the van, authorities said. Team members also reported recovering drug paraphernalia from a backpack.

Watson was charged with grand theft auto, trafficking and possession of meth, while Burnette was charged with grand theft auto, trafficking in meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. Brooks was charged with dealing in stolen property.